Earned Run Average is standard in 5x5s, but it can be a finicky statistic.

Its most significant fault is that while pitchers are saddled with responsibility for it, the final number isn’t always in their control.

There are a lot of factors that can go into a run scoring, earned or unearned, but this is the statistic we use and the one we’ll probably keep using.

So, how can we determine which pitchers have the best chance to avoid trouble in 2010?

There are 24 pitchers — 14 starters and 10 relievers — that have a good chance based on three sets of projections reviewed for this project. There are only 11 elite pitchers — six starters, five relievers — in this category.

Relief pitchers

In 2009, 23 starters had ERAs of 3.50 or less and 59 relievers were under 3.30.

Many of the players on the above lists also made the marks in 2009, but there are quite a few who aren’t projected to return. There are too many to list here. Many of them are long relievers or spot starters that you won’t draft or roster long anyway, but there still a few notable players who could help your ERA in 2010: